Fire Burn Bans Announced, Comcast Increases Broadband Connectivity, and More

Local and state agencies have announced various fire and burn bans as high winds have kicked up dust, dirt and fire smoke during the past few weeks. The Comcast Corporation announces additional lift zones in San Juan County to increase access to broadband internet. And San Juan County Veterans are hosting a yard sale to help raise money for Veterans programs. You are watching the Local News Network, brought to you by Pop's Truck and RV Center and ACE Hardware. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. On April 22nd, New Mexico fire officials announced fire bans across the state as high winds continued to blow dust and smoke across the state. As New Mexico enters into yet another summer of drought, several wildfires already are burning across the state, and officials say it's important to pay attention to local and state restrictions to help prevent more. In San Juan County, Bureau of Land Management lands are under stage two fire restrictions, which means that outdoor fires outside of developed campgrounds or improved sites are prohibited. No smoking unless inside an enclosed vehicle or building and no use of firearms outside of specific circumstances. Open burns across the state are banned under statewide restrictions. The ban applies to all non municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands. About 63% of New Mexico is in extreme drought according to the US Drought Monitor, and 68% of San Juan County is classified as extreme drought. Lower levels of snow pack in the mountains and a relatively dry spring will continue to feed fire and drought conditions throughout the summer. For more information about fire and burning in San Juan County, follow San Juan County Fire and Rescue on Facebook. During the past two years, internet access can no longer be considered a luxury, rather, it's now an essential part of life. With the shift to working and learning from home, many individuals and families face the issue of not having internet, or the internet they had didn't have the bandwidth to handle the increased use. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Farmington and Bloomfield, in partnership with the Comcast Corporation, became lift sites, public places with free broadband. Comcast has announced three more lift sites in San Juan County at Capacity Builders in Farmington, Goodwill of New Mexico Farmington Center and the Annex Fitness Center at the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center. Lift sites are part of Comcast's Internet Essentials Program which provides internet connectivity to communities by partnering with different local organizations, providing safe spaces for individuals who might not otherwise be able to access reliable internet. The lift sites of the Boys and Girls Clubs were installed in Spring 2021, and had a huge impact on young people's access to remote learning and their ability to complete schoolwork. The newer lift zones will increase connectivity to more members of the community beyond the members of the Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information on lift zones and Comcast's Internet Essentials Program visit corporate.comcast.com/impact/digital-equality/lift-zones. Getting started or finishing up spring cleaning? Or maybe you're looking for some new-to-you yard tools or something fun for the summer. Stop by the San Juan County Veterans Yard Sale on May 7th from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The yard sale will be at Riverstone Church and will offer furniture, clothing, household items, dishes, shoes, yard items, toys and more. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the San Juan County Veterans. For more information about the yard sale or to donate items, call Larry Finch at 505-566-4228 or Vanessa Tafoya at 505-609-5676. Thank you for watching this week's Local News Roundup. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.

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